SPECIAL CHAPTER EVENTS

SPECIAL CHAPTER EVENTS

SUNNY JONES CHAPTER

0049

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This area will be used to describe chapter functions which may take place at several venues, including our meeting location at: Veterans Museum & Memorial Center (VMMC), 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. The meeting date is moved to the 1st Saturday of the month at 12:00 p.m. The VMMC can be reached at (619) 239-2300.

CHAPTER 0049 PARTICIPATES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY 2013 VETERANS DAY PARADE

"President Eisenhower dedicated November 11, as Veterans Day in 1954, and called upon all citizens to participate. As Veterans Day is observed nationwide, the San Diego Veterans Day Parade recognizes the contributions of all of our Veterans from every branch of the Armed Forces in all eras of service. Our 2013 Parade includes "A Tribute to Vietnam Veterans", during the USA 50th Year Commemorative of the Vietnam War 1962 - 1975. A long-deserved special thank you will be shown to all U.S. Veterans who served in uniform during those Vietnam War years."

2013 Sponsors of the S. D. Veterans Day Parade

The following members of Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) participated in the 2013 San Diego County Veterans Day Parade:

Ulysses Miller, Jr. - Commander, Chapter 0049

R. J. Hernandez - Sr. Vice Cmdr.,Chapter 0049

Bob Holloway - Chaplain Chapter 0049

Bernard Cohenour - Adjutant Chapter 0049

Jamal Boubetana - Trustee Chapter 0049

Tom Peterson - Patriot Chapter 0049

Max Tadlock - P. Dept. Cmd Chapter 0049

Joe Ciokon - P. Ch. Cmdr. Chapter 0049

Marvin Tadlock - Patriot Chapter xxx

Charlotte Miller - Jr. Vice Cmdr. Ladies Aux.

Loubna Boubetana - Member Ladies Aux

Reyna Boubetana - Assoc. Mbr.

November 11, 2013, turned out to be a "blue sky" marvelous day for a parade in San Diego. Above is the Purple Heart float in the final steps of completion.

A good time was had by all. Here hoping to see you at the 2014 Veteran Day Parade in San Diego.

Story Updated: 18 November 2013: 14:10

CHAPTER 0049 MET ON April 5, 2014 TO INDUCT NEW OFFICERS FOR 2014-2015

MOPH Chapter 0049 met at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center on Saturday April 5, 2014 for our monthly meeting and the special election of 2014 - 2015 officer election. A "pot luck" luncheon was served at noon and the business of the chapter was begun at 12:45 p.m.

Veterans Museum and Memorial Center

Election and installation of Officers for the year 2014 - 2015 was held at the regularly conducted monthly meeting. A quorum was established and the heavily attended meeting got underway at 12:45 p.m. The presiding officer was Commander Ulysses Miller, Jr., who opened the meeting with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Cmdr. U. Miller opens the April meeting.

The first order of business was the election of officers for the new year. The first office on the slate of electors was Commander of Chapter 0049. Sr. Vice Commander Robert J. Hernandez was the overwhelming favorite and was thus elected to the post by unanimous consent of the chapter.

Robert Hernandez accepts the post as Commander.

The second office on the slate of electors wasthe office of Senior Vice Commander. The nominee for the office was Patriot George K. Waller, who has served two years in the post of Sgt.-At-Arms. Patriot Waller was also overwhelming- ly elected to serve as Sr. Vice Commander.

Patriot George K. Waller, Sr. Vice Commander

The third office on the slate of elector was Junior Vice Commander. The nominee was Joseph F. Ciokon, who has served the chapter in several function. Patriot was elected to office on the first ballot.

Patriot Joseph F. Ciokon, Jr. Vice Commander

The fourth office on the slate of electors was the office of Chapter Finance Officer. Currently serving in the office and re-nominated for another term was Patriot Ki H. Kim. The chapter returned Patriot Kim to office for another term.

Patriot Ki H. Kim, Chap. Finance Officer

The installation and the oath of office was administered all officers. While there are not pictures taken of each office holder, everyone was sworn-in and had an enjoyable time.

Swearing-in of Officers on 5 April 2014

For a full election report, please click on the Meeting Record report that appears at the end of this section. Each office holder is identified and the chapter business is also discussed. Click here.

** Go to the Officers tab on the Index page to meet the Chapter Officers for 2014-2015.

On January 18, 2013, First Responder Co-ordinator for Chapter 0049, Lew Meyer, and Adjutant Ulysses Miller, Jr., met at the Mid-City Police Division for the City of San Diego. Chapter 0049 was present to present a Military Order of the Purple Heart Plaque for First Responders to Police Officer Kelly Doherty of the mid-City Division.

Patriot Lew Meyer briefs Mid-City Divison

The purpose of the First Responder Program is to honor Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters who are killed or wounded in the line of duty. The program is administered by the MOPH Public Safety Officer who is working with the Department and Chapter Commanders to expand the program throughout the nation.

Public safety officers killed or wounded in the line of duty are recognized with MOPH Memoriail Plaques which are coordinated through the local Purple Heart chapters.

A briefing before the start of duty at Mid-City Division

On August 13, 2011, Officer Kelly Doherty had stopped a bicyclist for allegedly violating the right-of-way of a motorist. While Doherty was checking the suspect's record on the radio, he (suspect) started to leave. The officer tried to stop him, and he allegedly began to punch her. Officer Doherty fired a Taser at him and he fought with her and a citizens who came to her assistance.

Doherty fired the Taser a second time and another passer-by intervened to help take away a knife from the suspect. Other officers arrived and the suspect was arrested on three warrants and suspicion of attempted homocide.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment of Taser injuries. Officer Doherty was also treated at a hospital for cuts on her neck and chin from the knife, and for pain to her head and body from being punched.

On May 18, 2012, First Responder Co-ordinator for Chapter 0049, Lew Meyer, and Adjutant Ulysses Miller, Jr., met at the Ronald Reagan Community Center for the 23rd Annual Awards Ceremony for the El Cajon Police Department. It was a beautiful evening that would last approximately 90 minutes and would recognize a number of heroes among the El Cajon Police Department. Among the kudos that you would expect at an award function, this one was special because the Department was welcoming home El Cajon Police Officer Jarred Slocum who was shot in the head during the infamous Prince Street incident of August 21, 2011.

This was Officer Slocum's first day back to the department and he is still recovering from his wounds. His is a very stirring story that was recorded by a news camera crew on the day of August 21, 2012. However, among the awards presented at the ceremony, Officer Slocum was presented with several of the most prestigious awards by the highly professional El Cajon Police Department.

El Cajon police Officer Jarred Slocum and his rookie partner, Officer Tim McFarland, were two of many officers who responded to shots being fired in an August 2011 standoff with a man who had already killed his baby daughter and mother-in-law and would later set fire to the home.

During the El Cajon Police Department's 23rd Annual Police Officer Awards Ceremony, Slocum received the department's Medal of Valor, the Police Purple Heart, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Plaque for First Responders. He was also named El Cajon's "Officer of the Year."

El Cajon Police Officer Jarred Slocum receives the MOPH National First Responder Citation for injuries received in the line-of-duty.

While he looks healthy, Slocum is still on the mend with a brain injury.

Slocum's partner (the rookie of three days, who pulled him to safety from the line of fire), Officer Tim McFarland was named "Rookie of the Year 2011."

This was a very stirring ceremony and one that each chapter member should witness, at least once in life. I highly recommend it to everyone. You may call the Chapter's First Responder Coordinator, Patriot Lew Meyer at (619) 442-7413 to attend the next ceremony.

CHAPTER 0049 ELECTIONS:

(07 April 2012)

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On April 7, 2012, Chapter 0049 held its regular chapter meeting on the first Saturday of the month at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, 2115 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101. The meeting began promptly at 12:00 p.m. with a "pot luck" luncheon consisting of 8 entree(s) of delicacies and several favorite beverages.

The chapter meeting was called to order at 13:00 with the election of officers for the year 2012-13. The presiding officer was Commander Joseph A. Petrini of Chapter 0049, San Diego, CA

Cmdr. Joseph A. Petrini opening the election slate.

A side view of a few of the members

Service Officer, Allen Wissinger studies his ballot.

Commander Petrini opened the officer slate up to the membership for selection and the results are shown, below.

Chapter Officers for Calendar 2012 - 2013

Commander: Joseph A. Petrini

Sr. Vice Commander: Jack R. Harkins

Jr. Vice Commander: Oscar Polster

Finance Officer: Robert Hernandez

Judge Advocate: Thomas D. Adams

Sgt.-At-Arms: George Waller

3rd Year Trustee: Andre LeCault

2nd Year Trustee: Jamal Boubetana

1st Year Trustee: Laughlin J. A. Todd

** Decisions on "Appointed Positions" will be made by the Commander within the next 30 days.

A PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT'S LIFE STORY: An Odyssey from the L. A. Dodgers to the Battlefield

On March 24, 2012, I was privileged to review and read an advance copy of "Lost In The Sun," the life story of Los Angeles Dodger﻿ and Purple Heart holder, Roy Gleason. Mr. Gleason, who is a member of an adjacent MOPH chapter in Orange County, was in San Diego for his book publicity event at the studios of KUSI-9 TV on April 5, 2012.

His book traces his rise through the Dodger baseball organization in the early 1960s, then being called up for the draft in the mid-1960s and his arrival in Vietnam on December 21, 1967. During the Tet Offensive of 1968, Roy was assigned to IV Corps (Mekong Delta) with the 9th Infantry Division. He served as a Squad Leader with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Div. until 24 July 1968 when he was injured by a land mine.

Roy was sent back to the states via hospitals in Saigon, Osaka, Japan and Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, CA. Then came his long recovery and the struggle to pick up his professional baseball life with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Lost In The Sun" is an easy read of a patriot's life and his struggles to piece together his life after adversity strikes.

Roy Gleason at KUSI-9 studio in San Diego, signing his book

KUSI-9 interview. L-R: Dave Davis, Wally Wasinak and Roy Gleason.

Roy Gleason and Ulysses Miller at KUSI-9 news studios.

American Publishing Productions has generously offered to make a donation to Chapter 0049 of $10.00 for each copy of "Lost In The Sun," sold to each member, family or friend. The hard copy of the book is priced at $24.95. Please provide me with an email to: umiller@cox.net if you decide to purchase a copy of the book.

The book can be ordered by calling American Publishing and Productions at (951) 695-3164 or by going to the company web site at: infolostinthesun.comPlease mention that your purchase is on behalf of MOPH Chapter 0049.

The company web site also has pictures of Roy's work with "wounded warriors" and his work with "first responders" in the Orange County communities. Click here for video and pictures.

"American Publishing & Productions announces its new 2012 production entitled "Lost in the Sun." This unique biography profiles the true and heroic story of the only person in U.S. history to receive the following:

Purple Heart

Bronze Star

A World Series Ring

Hold a perfect lifetime major league batting average

Receive special recognition from the U.S. Congress

He remains the only person in the world who after playing first in the major leagues was drafted and then served on the front lines of Vietnam. This compelling story of dreams deferred, courage, and sacrifice deserves to be heard and read by all." Source: American Publishing Productions

Story updated: 14 April 2012: 12:00

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA:

(The December 2011 Project)

MOPH Chapter 0049 was a participant in the "Wreaths Across America" project held on December 10, 2011. While our participation was somewhat less than last year's effort, we met and gave it our all. Project 2010 involved the laying of 2,500 wreaths at Fort Rosecrans. Project 2011 involved the laying of 3,500 wreaths at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery and an unknown number at the newly opened Miramar National Cemetery.

The following is a collage of photos from the ceremony at Fort Rosecran.

A view of Colors from behind Dignitary Row.

Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard

A view of Service Representatives on Dignitary Row

Service Representatives were from: US Army; US Navy; US Marine Corps; US Air Force; US Coast Guard; US Merchant Marines; and a POW/MIA contingent.

An overhead shot of the courtyard at Fort Rosecrans Cemetary.

How crowd was it?? No official count was given but it was "wall-to-wall "people.

Lt. Col. Vicki Aguirre and 1st Sgt. Curtis J. Everson

Captain Scott Adams and Petty Officer 3rd Class K. Taylor

Lt. Col. Mike Castle and Sgt. Major Laurence Archambault

Col. Martin Wojtysiak and Tech Sgt. Glenn Logan, USAF

Capt. Sean M. Mahoney and AETCS Jason Cochrane receives the wreath for placing on the stand.

Byron Ayres, USMM and Dale Fleenor, USMM

Combined Firing Detail: USMC and Sons of Am. Revolution

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VETERAN CONCENTRIC ISSUES FOR JAN - DEC 2013

CHAPTER 0049 PARTICIPATION

On October 25, 2013, Commander Ulysses Miller and Sr. Vice Commander Robert Hernandez, of Chapter 0049 attended the solemn ceremony held at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. The ceremony commemorates the laying of wreathes at the monument dedicated to SDSU alumni who died in support of our country.

The monument, shown above, is aproximately 25 feet high and sits just west of Aztec Center and north of the campus trolley station. It is recognized as one of the few free-standing tributes of its kind on a college campus in the United States.

The San Diego State University War Memorial was commissoned and funded by the SDSU Alumni Association's Veterans War Memorial Committee. The memorial was originally dedicated on November 23, 1996.

Story updated: 18 November 2013: 12:45p.m.

CHAPTER 0049 PARTICIPATION

A citizen walks the row-upon-rows at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.

The headstone of 1st SGT Henry G. "Sunny" Jones, killed in the Battle of Blanc Mont, France, October 8, 1918.

The Sunny Jones chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart would be established in 1936 and named for Henry Jones. "May he rest in peace."

On December 11, 2011, Chapter 0049 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart held its annual Holiday Luncheon at the Best Western Seven Seas Restaurant in Mission Valley. The event is sponsored each year by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Unit 49.

The event was well-attended by members and everyone had a festive time. See some of the photos from the date, below.

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